Brief case construction



Dec. 7, 1937. W. SATZ BRIEF CASE CONSTRUCTION r l I l l llllll Il FiledMarch 5, 1937 KIIIII.

INVENTOR, Ilia/nz J'atz;

H I ATTO EY.

Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNITE@ S'iA'iES rsrsn'r crema BRIIEF CASECONSTRUCTION William Satz, New York, N. Y.

Application March 5, 1937, Serial No. 129,231

9 Claims.

This invention relates to luggage construction, more particularly tobrief cases.

It is an object of my invention to provide, in a gussetted article suchas a brief case, a support for the bottom thereof which automaticallyserves to conform the brief case to the contents thereof, enhancing theappearance of the brief case, as well as prolonging the life thereof.

In brief case constructions known to me, it has been the practice toinclude encircling straps which serve to hold down the closure flap aswell as to support the body of the brief case, usually suspended from ahand holding portion on the flap. The opening and closing of such abrief case entails the labor of manipulating the nap lock as well as thestraps. With the advent of a brief case in the form of an envelope inwhich closure is effected by slide fasteners7 generally called zipperclosures, a variation in construction has been popularized in which thesupporting handles are attached to the main body of the brief case. Suchtype of brief case has limited expansibility and the employment ofgussets to obtain such expansibility has been discouraged by reason ofthe unsightliness of the construction when the brief case is filled,eventually leading to a complete distortion of the gussets.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide in a bodysupported brief case, as distinguished from a flap supported brief case,a gusset supporting construction adjacent the bottom thereof, assuringadequate suspension of this flexible section of the brief case andautomatic adjustment to take care of the varying contents of the Vvbriefcase.

It is further contemplated as an object of my invention to include in agussetted container in the nature of a brief case, which is carried bysuspending handles, a bottom engaging support which will enhance theappearance of a brief4 case, eliminating the necessity of encirclingstraps and adjustable fastening elements, so that they brief case may bequickly filled and adjusted to the depth necessary to accommodatevarying contents automatically.

Other objects of my invention reside in, the provision of a brief caseconstruction, particularly a brief case construction in which the handlesupporting members are attached to the body of the brief case, and whichis inexpensive to manufacture, but providing adequate support for thegusset members and enhancing and increasing the duration of life of suchcontrivance.

To attain these objects and such other objects as may appear herein orbe hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanyingdrawing, forming a part hereof, in Which- Figure 1 is a perspective viewshowing an ernbodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 2 2of Figurel;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3--3 ofFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of myinvention corresponding to a section taken in connection with Figure 2;l

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of myinvention, taken along' a section corresponding to the View provided inFigure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a still further embodimentof my invention. -f'

Making reference to the drawing, I have illustrated the preferred formof my invention in complete form in Figure 1, wherein the brief case lllis illustrated and comprises wall portions l l and l2, having adjacentthe edges i3 near the medial portion thereof a pair of supportinghandles l 4, affixed to the side walls by hangers l5, through the mediumof the links i6. Afxation may beeifected by a rivet Il, included withinsheaths EB. The side walls ll and l2'are connected by edge gussets ISand bottom. gussets 2li, by stitching 2l, in the Well known manner.

Interiorly, a plurality of partitions 22 are provided, also of wellknown construction, the details whereof will be readily appreciated bythose skilled in the art. The edges i3 may be connected by some suitableclosure, preferably a set' of stringers 23, carrying interconnectingAfasteners 24, and a slide fastener operating element 25. The form ofconstruction thus far described is well known. The nature of theconstruction thus far described provides expansibility by reason of thegussetted construction.

However, as books or other such materials are disposed within thecontainer, the weight of these articles upon the gussets at 2li distortsthe gussets to the point where they bulge beyond the general contour ofthe side walls, rendering the appearance of the brief case unsightly, aswell as eX- posing the gusset of weaker fabric, which quickly becomesworn out.

In accordance with the primary objectives of my invention, I provide apair of bottom supporting straps 26 which are folded generally U-shaped, as will more clearly appear in Figure 2. I affix tothe free ends21 a length of elastic material `2S by rivets, staples or stitching 29.It will also be understood that other attaching means may be employed. i

The free ends 30 of the elastic are afxed to the body side walls I I andI2 and for this purpose, it is preferred to first provide four pockets3| by longitudinal stitching 32 and 33, leaving an intermediate opensection 34. The stitching as provided will leave a mouth portion 35 andan open-ended top 36. With the pockets thus provided, the elasticsections 28 are drawn up through the mouth 35 of the pocket, with theends 3D of the elastic section substantially coterminus with the top 36.When in this position, Y

a rivet 31 is driven through the fabric or layer 3|, the elastic 28 andthe body of the side Walls II and I2, upon which the respective pocketsare mounted. Y

The length of the straps 26 is so chosen that when the gussets aredistended to the limit of their capacity, they will still envelop thebottom of the brief case and havev the ends thereof 21 retained withinthe confines of thepockets 3|. The length of the elastic sections 28 isso chosen that they may be extended to correspond to thev limits ofexpansion of the gussets while yet remaining within the elastic limitsof the elastic.

'I'he pockets 3|, as provided, serve as guides for the free ends 21 ofthe straps 26, in which the straps slide up or down upon the collapsingof the brief case'or the distension thereof, depending upon the removalor insertion of the contents of different thickness Y and quantitywithin the confines of the brief case. The elasticity of the support forthe straps 26, given to them by the elastic band 28, will automaticallyadjust the sidewalls and I2 to or from each other adjacent the bottom,at the same time giving the gussets 20 adjacent the bottom, ade quatesupport. ,Y n

The construction described provides a simple and inexpensive assembly,permitting rapid adjustment by the user, who need only give attention tothe opening and closing ofthe slide fastener.

Figure 4 illustrates a fragmentary section of another embodiment of myinvention in which the side walls II and I2, including the bottomgussets 20, are shown and with which a bottom encirling strap 26a may beassociated, the free ends whereof 27a are affixed to the side walls and21, by rivets 31a.

In this construction, the straps 26a are preferably made of a length ofelastic material, such as a woven elastic encased within a leatherjacket. The length of the straps 26a is so calculated as to take care ofthe requisite distention to the limit of capacity of the gussets 20.

In Figure 5 I have illustrated another embodiment of my invention inwhich the side walls I Ia. and |2a'of the brief case are connected byedge and bottom gussets in the usual way, there being illustrated thebottom wall gusset 20, to exemplify this embodiment of my invention.With such Ya construction, there is formed in the side walls I Ia and I2a, orifices or slits 35a, to accommodate the passage therethrough of abottom encircling strap 26h.V Thus, the orifices or slits 35a serve asguides for the free ends 21b of the straps 26h. To the free ends 27h ofthe strap 26h, thereare attached elastic sections 28h, connected to thestraps by rivets 29h, though it will be understood that stitching,staples or similar suitable aixing means may be employed.

The free ends 30h of the elastic sections 28h are aixed to therespective Walls IIa and I2a by rivets 31h. In the illustration shown,the rivets, at the interior portion, may pass through reinforcingwashers in a manner readily understood. A sheathing (not shown) may besewn or cemented on the inner surfaces of the walls Ila or I2a, to formpockets for the straps, with an open mouth adjacent the slits 35aserving all the functions of the pockets 3| but when disposed on theinterior of the brief case walls, protecting the brief case contentsfrom contact with the straps and the mounting means for the same.

As in the previous embodiment, elastic sections 28h are so chosen thatin the fully contracted position they will serve to draw the strap 2Gbto fully collapse the side walls I la and IIb towards each other andthereby constrict the gussets. The length of the elastic sections 23h isso chosen that they will take care of the complete distention of thegussets 20 as the side walls Ila and I2a are forced away from eachother, upon the disposition of books or other materials in the briefcase. It is preferred, however, to locate the orifices or slits 35a inrespect of the ends 21D of the straps so that during vdistention, theseends will not be drawn through the orifices or slits 35a.

In all other respects, the operation of the con struction described inFigure 5 will embody the features previously described. However, in thisconstruction the orifices 35a, act as guides for the straps 2Gb duringsliding movement of the straps against the tension of the elasticsections 28D, as the gussets are contracted or expanded, as will bereadily understood.

In Figure 6 there has been illustrated an enlarged yfragmentary sectionof the bottom supporting straps previously described in connection withFigures l, 2 and 3, with the features, additionally, that the straps 26for the portions extending within the pockets 3| are formed withelongated guiding slots 38. When so formed, a rivet 39 is passed throughthe layer of the pocket 3| so that its stem 40 rides within the slot 38and then perforates the wall I2, on which inner face the rivet is headedor upset. The length of the stem 40 is calculated to loosely connect thesheathing 3| and the wall I2, to leave the pocket space 34 of such depththat the strap 26 may freely slide therein. The length' of the guideslots 38, formed adjacent the opposite ends of the strap, is calculatedto correspond to the approximate limit of expansion of the gussets,which may be provided between the walls and I 2 of the brief case. Whenso provided, the upper ends 4| of the guide slots 38 will serve asabutments or stops to limit the sliding movement of the straps in thepockets, when these walls abut the stem of the rivet 33. The lower end42 of the guide slots 38 will act as abutments or stops in relation tothe rivets 39, against the distention of the elastics 28 to which thestraps 26 are connected. Thus, while the elastics 28 may be maintainedunder tension, they will not unduly tauten the straps 26 and deform thebottom of the brief case at the points where the straps encircle thebottom.

In all other respects, the details illustrated in Figure 6 correspond,in operation, to that de scribed and emphasized in connection withFigures l, 2 and 3.

It will thus be observed that I have provided a brief case constructionwherein a gussetted device of this character is given adequate supportadjacent the bottom thereof and in which such adjustment is automatic,dependent upon the thickness of the contents filed into the brief case,between the walls thereof, and in which the support for the gussettedbottom is accommodated to the brief case contents as the gussets aredistended or contracted.

It will be understood that while I have described in conjunction withthe bottom encircling straps, resilient tensioning means in the form ofelastic bands, other elastic distending means, in the form of metalsprings, may be employed with a certain degree of success.

While I have described and illustrated my invention, it is not intendedthat the exemplification is to be interpreted `as limiting but the scopeof my invention is set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a brief case construction including side Walls connected bygussets adjacent end and bottom peripheral edges of the side Walls, oneof which gussets forms the bottom, straps for supporting the bottom, thefree ends of the straps being resiliently suspended to the side walls ofthe brief case adjacent the bottoni portions thereof, to accommodate thesuspension of the bottom to the distention or contraction of the briefcase walls to and from each other.

2. In a brief case construction comprising, in combination, bodysupported side walls comprising a handle connected to the side walls,said side walls being connected by gussets adjacent end and bottomperipheral edges of the side walls, one of which gussets forms thebottom, bottom supporting straps, the free ends whereof being attachedto the body Walls adjacent the bottom edges of said walls, withintermediate portions of said straps passing transversely beneath andsupporting the bottom, said intermediate portions including materialwhich is resilient and distensible to accommodate the bottom gusset sosupported to the distention or contraction of the brief case walls toand from each other.

3. In a brief case construction including gussets connecting the sidewalls adjacent end and bottom peripheral edges of the side walls, one ofwhich gussets forms the bottom, supports for the the botom comprisingbottom enveloping straps passing beneath and across the bottom of saidbrief case and connecting the said walls, sections of elastic material,the ends of which sections being attached to the free ends of saidstraps and body portions of the brief case, respectively near the bottomedges of the side walls, whereby the straps are maintained transverselybeneath the bottom portion of the brief case to support the gussets invarious positions of distention or contraction of the gussets.

4. In a brief case construction, the side walls whereof are connected bygussets adjacent end and bottom peripheral edges of the side walls, oneof which gussets forms the bottom, supports for the gussets adjacent thebottom portion cornprising straps passing across the bottom, slitsformed in the side Walls through which said straps are directed and passto the interior of the brief case with the free ends adjacent theinterior surface of the side Walls, elastic elements one of the ends ofeach element being attached to the side walls of said brief case, theopposite free ends of the elastic elements being attached to the freeends of the straps, adjustably and resiliently tautening the strapsacross the bottom, said slits providing guides for said straps.

5. In a brief case construction comprising spaced walls connected bygussets adjacent end and bottom peripheral edges of the side walls, oneof which gussets forms the bottom, supporting straps passingtransversely to the bottom thereof from one wall to the other andsupporting the gusset forming the bottom, elastic Sections aiixed tosaid side walls at one end of each section, the opposite ends of saidsections being attached to the free ends of the straps, and guides forsaid straps, said guides comprising pockets for said straps.

6. In a brief case construction comprising spaced side walls connectedby gussets, supporting straps for the gussets adjacent the bottomthereof, elastic sections affixed to said side walls at one end of eachof the sections, the opposite ends of said sections being attached tothe free ends of the straps.

7. In a brief case construction comprising spaced walls connected bygussets, supporting straps for the gussets adjacentthe bottom thereof,elastic sections affixed to said side walls at one end of each of thesections, the opposite ends of said sections being attached to the freeends or" the straps, and guides for said straps.

8. In a brief case construction comprising spaced Walls connected bygussets, supporting straps for the gussets adjacent the bottom thereof,elastic sections afiixed to said side walls at one end of each of saidsections, the opposite ends of said sections being attached to the freeends of the straps, guides for said straps comprising elongated slots onsaid straps, the end walls of said slots cooperating with a memberpassing through said slots, serving as stops for limiting the slidingmovement of said straps in distention or contraction of the brief casein respect of said distensible sections.

9. In a brief case construction comprising spaced walls connected bygussets one of which forms the bottom, supporting straps for the bottomportion of said brief case adjacent the bottom gussets passing beneathand transversely positioned in respect to said bottom gussets, elasticsections having one end of each section attached to the walls of saidbrief case, the opposite ends of said sections being attached to thefree ends of the straps, spaced covering for said straps providingpockets through which said straps may slide freely during distention orcontraction, guide slots on said straps, a transverse member passingthrough said slots connecting said covering and the side wall, saidtransverse member serving as a stop to limit the distention orcontraction of the side walls against the elastic tension of saidsections.

WILLIAM SATZ.

